KUCHING, May 17: Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala wants to know why Sarawak PKR and its information chief Abun Sui Anyit are so anxious and desperate for the 12th Sarawak elections to be held?
Gerawat pointed out Abun Sui appeared to be desperate for the DUN to be dissolved by June 6 and not Aug 1 when Malaysia’s state of emergency is expected to end.
“Abun Sui and PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) appear to be so desperate for DUN to be dissolved by June 6 so that State elections can be held within two months after dissolution of DUN. This makes us wonder why PKR is so anxious about the next State elections,” he said.
He was responding to Abun Sui’s statement yesterday (May 16) alleging that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led Sarawak government and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg are manipulating the Emergency Ordinance 2021 (EO) to extend their powers until Aug 1 while maintaining the salaries for the State Cabinet and state elected representatives.
On the part where Abun Sui urged the Sarawak government and Abang Johari to put Sarawak first when facing the Covid-19 pandemic and not to abuse the EO, Gerawat said GPS could and would have dissolved DUN, if that was their main intention, since July 2020 which was long before the EO was promulgated in January 2021.
“However, YAB (Yang Amat Berhomat) Chief Minister took into account the seriousness of the Covid-19 situation and placed top priority on our people’s health and safety and therefore decided not to have the State elections until it is safe to do so.
“The subsequent declaration of the Covid-19 related emergency in January 2021 by Yang di-Pertuan Agong has reaffirmed the wisdom of CM’s earlier decision not to hold State elections since July 2020,” he said in a statement today.
Gerawat, who is also the Mulu assemblyman, said GPS has full trust and confidence in the wisdom of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Abang Johari to determine the appropriate date to dissolve DUN to welcome Sarawak’s next State elections.
“GPS’ concept of putting Sarawak first is all encompassing taking into account our legal and constitutional rights under MA63 (Malaysian Agreement 1963), State and Federal Constitutions and the overall interest and well-being of all Sarawakians.
“GPS as a responsible government will continue to respect and act in accordance with laws of our country including the EO which effectively extend DUN’s term beyond June 6 and GPS will always put Sarawak first which includes the health and safety of Sarawakians,” he added. — DayakDaily
